African Action Network on International Criminal Justice

APILU participated establishing an African Action Network on International Criminal Justice (ICJ) in May 2009. The initiative was a follow-up of an earlier workshop organized by the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) in December 2008 which resolved the establishment of a network of civil society and legal practitioners to promote International Criminal Justice in Africa. The workshop also discussed the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Africa, with specific reference to the controversies surrounding the arrest warrant for the President of Sudan; and assessed the role of ICJ in ending impunity and promoting accountability for serious international crimes in Africa.

Participants noted that two decisions taken by the African Union (AU) at its January 2009 summit could contribute to the future of ICJ in Africa. The AU had resolved to i) examine the implications of the African Court on Human and peoples’ Rights trying international crimes (genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity), and ii) urgently convened a meeting of the 30 African countries that have ratified the ICC’s Rome Statute to discuss the Court’s work in Africa.
Participants noted that while the AU remains committed to combating impunity and has called for justice for perpetrators of gross human rights violations in Darfur, its members were expressing concern about the ICC’s indictment of the President of Sudan, as well as the perceived abuse of the principle of universal jurisdiction.

The workshop acknowledged the role played by African states in supporting development of ICJ, and considered Africa’s role in driving the establishment of other regional mechanisms, including the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL). Delegates also highlighted that the important strides that have been made by countries to enhance their domestic capacity to respond to international crimes.

The workshop debated the possible implications of the AU’s decisions on the work of international criminal justice mechanisms and responses to international crimes. The workshop intended to present a clear and coherent civil society position supporting international criminal justice, and highlighting the role that civil society and the legal profession can play in shaping the debate to reflect African concerns, priorities and recommendations. Participants prepared a common outcome statement that articulated the views of the workshop participants and contained recommendations on how African civil society and the legal profession can contribute towards achieving accountability, the rule of law, and a rejection of impunity for perpetrators of serious international crimes like genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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